It proved fortuitous that Austin Rehkow's record 67-yard field goal a couple weeks ago came on a Thursday. Had it been a day later like most football games, his parents, Freddie and Kim, would have missed it.

Friday, they began a cruise to the eastern Caribbean.

"I save up my personal days knowing I'll be gone so much during the basketball season," said Freddie Rehkow, the Central Valley High School teacher and girls basketball coach. "Every two years we get away and relax before basketball starts up."

The trip wasn't entirely relaxing. They got caught in what became Hurricane Sandy, and it took an extra day to make port.

"It got a little crazy," Freddie said of 15-foot swells. "It was one of (the cruise line's) bigger ships, but it was up and down and all around. The last 2˝ days, people were getting seasick."

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He said he wasn't too worried, but that Kim got a little nervous.

The hardest part of the cruise for Freddie was trying to access email during the hullabaloo over Austin's kick seen 'round the country.

"People were emailing and setting up interviews," Freddie said.

Austin, he said, never has been one to seek the limelight, but has since had 740 friend requests on Facebook.

"He was very adamant that it was about the team," the elder Rehkow said. "For him it was just another kick. He said, ‘honestly Dad, I wanted to give it a try.'"

Afterwards, Austin wrote on Facebook and made sure the special team's unit got its due, naming them all.

It's been "cool" Freddie said, but added that each of the boys and girls teams finishing second at state - other than losing the title game - was more special for the family.

November means CV timeIf it's November it must be high school fall sports postseason, and Central Valley teams once more will be well represented:

Cross Country - Saturday the District 5-8 champion boys are racing for a trophy at the State 4A meet. CV edged Lewis and Clark 52-59, both qualifying for state. Logan Giese (fourth) and Spencer Jensen (ninth) were top-10 placers.

Girls soccer - On Tuesday, the district champion Bears played against a team from the Mid-Columbia Conference for a 4A state berth

Volleyball - Second in district, CV's volleyball team on Saturday plays against the MCC in the regional tournament that determines state qualifiers.

Football - No playoff this year for the Bears, but this might have been almost as satisfying as last year's trip to the state quarterfinals. There was last week's win over previously unbeaten Gonzaga Prep, and Rehkow's earlier field goal. CV would love to have had its season-opener against Ferris back.